Sourland Spectacular is a spectacular success

Over 500 cyclists from the tristate area enjoyed the gorgeous weather at sixth annual Sourland Spectacular bicycle rally on Saturday. “We couldn’t have asked for a better day,” said Cliff Wilson, Sourland Conservancy’s Spectacular Committee Chair. “Cool temperatures and blue skies, it was just perfect.”

Registration opened at 7am and remained open until 10am. Riders were greeted with bagels and beverages, checked in and chose from 5 routes: 7 mile Family Ride, 26.9 miles, 35.9 miles, 52.7 miles and the 65.4 miles. The longest of these, the Metric Century, included a total of 3,275 feet of climbing. Following the ride, each cyclist enjoyed a delicious Thai Elephant Food Truck lunch or wood-fired New World Pizza and celebrated with the event’s famous homemade brownie sundae featuring ice cream donated by the Bent Spoon.

All participants received a goody bag provided by Hammer Nutrition including Hammer Gel, Endurolytes Fizz, Sourland Cycles 20% coupon for all gear and accessories, and a coupon from Sourland Mountain Spirits. Riders who purchased advance tickets online also received a free universal silicon smartphone bike mount cell phone holder.

Aid stations staffed with volunteers were set up along the route for riders to rest and revive with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas, pretzels, grapes, water, Hammer gel, HEED Mandarin-Orange drink and Endurolytes capsules. Bathroom facilities were also available.

Sourland Cycles’ friendly staff were on hand at the Otto Kaufman Center to pump tires and help with rider questions and mechanical issues. In addition, Sourland Cycles provided SAG (support and gear) for the event. A few riders could not complete the route, so volunteer drivers brought tools and supplies for minor repairs. If needed, the SAG volunteer brought the cyclist and bike back to the Otto Kaufman Center.

After the ride, Sourland Cycles had their popular electric bikes on hand, as well as some of the new 2018 road bikes for men and women from Giant and Specialized.

All Sourland Spectacular proceeds benefit the Sourland Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to protect, promote and preserve the Sourland Mountain region – 90 square miles of forest, wetlands and grasslands, home to many endangered and threatened plant and animal species, and a critical stopover for migratory birds. Covering parts of seven municipalities and three counties within the heavily developed central corridor of New Jersey, the Sourlands region is also rich in opportunities for human recreation, refuge and renewal, with hiking trails and historic sites.

The Sourland Conservancy would like to thank its business partners The Bent Spoon, Sourland Cycles, The Ryland Inn, Sourland Mountain Spirits, and Kilbourne & Kilbourne for supporting their mission throughout the year. They would also like to thank event sponsors Hammer Nutrition, Bagel Barn, and Small World Coffee.

3 COMMENTS

Thanks for your comment, Jean! This is a photo sent from the Sourland Conservancy and did not come with accompanying names. There is a caption, however, below the photo to identify that the photo is a group of riders from this weekend’s event. All the best, Mary